Megan McKinley Thomas
N Street Village
Washington, DC USA
"Have faith in the process. Trust your gut, your heart, your instincts. You know yourself the best and you know what you need."
Career Roadmap
Megan's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Business, and Upholding a Cause and Belief
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
My mom has always been supportive of me and my goals my whole life. When I was a teenager, she tried to get me to think more realistically about my future and was sort of worried about what working for nonprofits or in public service would mean for me. I eventually had to face the realities of working in this industry. Sometimes it is low pay for really hard work, but it's what I love so I accept it.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Women's Studies
Old Dominion University
Bachelor's Degree
Creative Writing
Old Dominion University
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
Grew up volunteering and says that she was raised to give back.
2.
Attended Old Dominion University where she received her degree in women’s studies and creative writing.
3.
After graduating, she took a job at a Planned Parenthood in Washington, D.C.—left after only a few months because she wasn’t making enough money.
4.
After a brief stint working at Target, she decided she needed to go back to working in nonprofits.
5.
She got a job working in fundraising and development for Washington Hospital Center Foundation.
6.
This led to nearly a decade of working in state and national healthcare fundraising for organizations like Children’s National Medical Center and The ALS Association.
7.
She has also worked for the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum, which is a Women's Equality National Monument, and the Washington Animal Rescue League.
8.
She is now the Associate Director of Donor Relations and Engagement for N Street Village, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering homeless and low-income women in Washington, D.C.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Parents:
Ok, let's be realistic...nonprofit work isn't going to sustain you. What are you going to do with a women's studies major?
How I responded:
My mom has always been supportive of me and my goals my whole life. When I was a teenager, she tried to get me to think more realistically about my future and was sort of worried about what working for nonprofits or in public service would mean for me. I eventually had to face the realities of working in this industry. Sometimes it is low pay for really hard work, but it's what I love so I accept it.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
Living in Washington, D.C. is expensive and working in this industry it doesn't always pay the best. I'm fine now, but starting out was really challenging.
I originally attended Sweet Briar College but had to drop out after only a year because I got really sick.
After dropping out to recover from my illness, I felt defeated. I started taking classes again at ODU just to get my foot in the door. I decided to push through my illness and recovery in order to finish my degree, which wasn't easy.
My parents got divorced when I was really young and so I was raised by a single mother. That came with its own challenges, but she was a very strong role model and instilled a good work ethic in me.